LIMN
MA Fine Art at Watts Gallery

LIMN is curated by Andrea Gregson, Senior Lecturer in Fine Art and includes a range of fine art media sensitively responding to the history, architecture and gardens at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village. It presents an opportunity to encounter contemporary art throughout the buildings and gardens, offering new interpretations to its visiting audiences. The exhibition is part of an ongoing dialogue between Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village and University for the Creative Arts, led by Watts Gallery’s mission of Art for All by All. It explores how Watts Gallery can collaborate to support student artists to access, engage with and be part of its creative community.

All the artists are brought together through their studies on the MA Fine Art course at Farnham, a vibrant community of creatives from UK, China, India, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland and Sri Lanka. The works on show use a range of media including a zine publication (artists book), installation, sculpture, film, performance, drawing, digital print, cyanotype, collage, painting, textiles, socially engaged practice and ceramics.

The title LIMN is drawn from LIMNERSLEASE, the Arts and Crafts home named by George and Mary Watts in 1891, merging the Old English words ‘limner’ (artist) with ‘leasen’ (to glean). According to Cambridge English Dictionary, the meaning of LIMN has several interpretations; “to draw or paint something, to describe or show someone or something using words” and “to mark the edge of something”. Through the lens of fourteen emerging contemporary artists, the works draw from their ongoing subject matter and research gleaned during a site visit in December 2023.  Approaching Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village as a place of creation, the works are a call and response to George and Mary Watts as artistic partners, 19^th century debates in art and culture, as well as the historic art collection and architectural social history of the Arts and Crafts buildings.

Set among the existing collection, these new artworks find alternative perspectives, illuminating familiar artworks and ideas, enabling visitors to encounter contemporary art in this unique historic setting.

You are welcome to join us for the launch of LIMN coinciding with Surrey Day at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village on Saturday 11 May, 11am-4.30pm. There is free entry for Surrey residents on this day. There will also be an opportunity to join a special walking tour of Watts Gallery’s site led by exhibiting artists who will each introduce their work. During the launch there will be two participatory art events, Natural Sensation by Xiaoyu Chen and an interactive live performance, The Peace Lily by Sam Chara.

Main image credit: Ceramic Lillies by Sam Chara

Exhibiting Artists:

• Kasia Alexiou: @kasiaalexiou
• Christine Banat:  @christine.banat.90
• Ranga Bandara:  @rangakumara14.bandara
• Sam Chara:  @sam.chara
• Xiaoyu (Irene) Chen:  https://m11renexy.wixsite.com/irenechen
• Sally Ferguson:  @sally.fergart
• Xiaoxiao Hu: @boluomiyex
• Darrell Kingsley:  @dkingsleyfish
• Ranju Magar: @ranju.pulami
• Joy Millett:  @millett.joy
• Victoria Obiakor:   @artb_yve 
• Salsabeel Palliparambil:  @salartistry
• Lizziy Parker:  @ziah_fineart
• Sibtay Shaheed:  @sibtayart

Directions:

Watts Gallery - Artists' Village, Down Lane, Guildford, GU3 1DQ

https://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/visit/getting-here

Contact:

For information about Watts Gallery - Artist’ Village:

Sarah Jarvis: sarah.jarvis@wattsgallery.org.uk 

Laura MacCulloch: laura.macculloch@wattsgallery.org.uk

For information about UCA MA Fine Art course, artwork, artist talks and events:

Andrea Gregson: agregson@ucreative.ac.uk   IG: @mafineartucafarnham